Synthesis, Surface Modification and Characterisation of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles with sizes ranging between objects and microparticles (e.g. atom) have attracted much attention. These particles with various specialized functions not only deepen our understanding of nature, but also serve as the basis for the development of new advanced technology. The successful application of nanoparticles depends upon both the synthesis and the surface modification of these particles. Surface modification can improve the inherent characteristics of the nanoparticles and serve to prepare nanocomposites inexistent in nature. Nanocomposites are made from two or more of the solid phase, at least in one dimensional nano-level size (1-100 nm). The solid phase can be amorphous, semi-crystalline, grain, or a combination. The solid phase can also be organic, inorganic, or a combination. According to the size of the solid phase, nanocomposites generally include the following three types: nanoparticles and nanoparticle compounds (0-0 composite), nanoparticles and conventional bulk composites (0-3 composite) and composite nano-films (0-2 composite). In addition, the nano-layered structure material is ascribed to nano-material, and the multi-layer nanocomposite composed of different materials is also known as nanocomposites. Composite materials own excellent performance, which can be widely used in aerospace, defense, transportation, sports and other fields. Nanocomposites are one of the most attractive part of the composite materials. Due to the fast development in recent years, nanocomposites are put in an important position by the developed countries in the development of new materials. The research on nanocomposites includes organic-inorganic composites, nano-polymer matrix composites and inorganic-inorganic composites. In this chapter, combined with our research experience, we mainly introduce the nano-polymer matrix composites to the readers. In order to claim the nano-polymer matrix composites exactly, synthesis and modification of nanoparticles and preparation, characterization and applications of nano-polymer matrix composites were mainly discussed.